The flooding after Hurricane Matthew claimed more than 20 lives in North Carolina and devastated homes, businesses and farms.

WRAL viewers have committed more than $200,000 to help the victims of Hurricane Matthew through the American Red Cross Triangle Area Chapter, Salvation Army North and South Carolina and NC Baptists On Mission (NCBM).

GIVE ITEMS, TIME

Those who can't spare the time or skills to help in person can give to the recovery effort through the NC Disaster Relief Fund. Monetary donations are preferred over goods because they are more easily distributed to those in need.

GIVE WISELY, AVOID SCAMS

The Attorney General's Office offered these tips to make sure your donations reach those most in need after Hurricane Matthew:

Know how to spot fake charities. Charity scams often use names that are very close to the names of real charities, non-profits or even law enforcement agencies. If you want to donate, contact the real charity or organization at a website or phone number you know to be valid.

Decide who you want to give to. Instead of responding to solicitations to make a donation, especially from telemarketers who may keep as much as 90 percent of the money they collect, decide which charities you want to support and contact them directly. If you’re giving to relief efforts here in North Carolina, consider giving to groups you already know do good work in your community.

Do your research. Visit give.org to see if national charities meet the standards set by the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, and charitywatch.org for ratings of charities by the American Institute of Philanthropy. You can also look into charities through guidestar.org and charitynavigator.org.

Stick with established charities. Brand new charities often pop up after natural disasters. Some may be legitimate, but others may be scams or just too poorly organized to be effective. In general it’s best to give to charities with an established track record for using donations wisely.

Be wary of any charity that won’t answer your questions. If someone refuses to answer questions about how they will use your donation, it may be a scam. If you’re not sure, check out the charity by calling the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office at 1-888-830‑4989.

Don’t respond to unsolicited emails and text messages asking you to give. Even if the message looks legitimate, it could be a phishing scam. These messages may include links to websites that look legitimate but are really set up to trick you into donating.

Avoid pushy telemarketers. Telemarketers that refuse to answer your questions, offer to pick up your donation or pressure you are usually up to no good. Also, some telemarketers keep up to 90 percent of the money they collect for charities. Your money will go further if you give directly to the real charity, not to hired fundraisers.

Be careful about donating through social media posts. The cause may sound worthy, but verify how the money is going to be used before you give.

Consider crowdfunding requests very carefully. Crowdfunding sites allow people to raise money for causes and projects online, but they can be misused by scammers. Make sure you know who you’re donating to and how the funds will be used, and ask how much of your donation would go to the crowdfunding site instead of the cause.

Don’t give cash. Cash gifts can be lost or stolen. For security and tax record purposes, it’s best to pay by credit card. If you pay by check, make it out to the charity itself, not the fundraiser.

Protect your personal information. Never give your credit card or bank account number to someone you don’t know who contacts you for any reason. If someone calls you asking for a credit card, bank account or Social Security number, avoid giving to them. It could be a scam.

By late September standards, it's a little warm and humid lately and will be more so as temperatures rise to near 90 Wednesday and Thursday. However, a front due in late Thursday or early Friday should bring a...Read More

By late September standards, it's a little warm and humid lately and will be more so as temperatures rise to near 90 Wednesday and Thursday. However, a front due in late Thursday or early Friday should bring a big drop in dew points heading into the weekend. along with high temperatures in the 70s Saturday and Sunday - should seem a lot more like Fall!

By late September standards, it's a little warm and humid lately and will be more so as temperatures rise to near 90 Wednesday and Thursday. However, a front due in late Thursday or early Friday should bring a...Read More

By late September standards, it's a little warm and humid lately and will be more so as temperatures rise to near 90 Wednesday and Thursday. However, a front due in late Thursday or early Friday should bring a big drop in dew points heading into the weekend. along with high temperatures in the 70s Saturday and Sunday - should seem a lot more like Fall!

By late September standards, it's a little warm and humid lately and will be more so as temperatures rise to near 90 Wednesday and Thursday. However, a front due in late Thursday or early Friday should bring a...Read More

By late September standards, it's a little warm and humid lately and will be more so as temperatures rise to near 90 Wednesday and Thursday. However, a front due in late Thursday or early Friday should bring a big drop in dew points heading into the weekend. along with high temperatures in the 70s Saturday and Sunday - should seem a lot more like Fall!

A shallow layer of low clouds covers much of eastern NC this morning, as seen here at our Solar Farm. As we head through the day, we may see a few breaks in the clouds and perhaps a couple of partly sunny...Read More

A shallow layer of low clouds covers much of eastern NC this morning, as seen here at our Solar Farm. As we head through the day, we may see a few breaks in the clouds and perhaps a couple of partly sunny periods. It will also turn breezy, with a few isolated sprinkles or light showers possible. Better rain chances with Maria will likely be confined to the area around the sounds and Outer Banks.

A shallow layer of low clouds covers much of eastern NC this morning, as seen here at our Solar Farm. As we head through the day, we may see a few breaks in the clouds and perhaps a couple of partly sunny...Read More

A shallow layer of low clouds covers much of eastern NC this morning, as seen here at our Solar Farm. As we head through the day, we may see a few breaks in the clouds and perhaps a couple of partly sunny periods. It will also turn breezy, with a few isolated sprinkles or light showers possible. Better rain chances with Maria will likely be confined to the area around the sounds and Outer Banks.

A shallow layer of low clouds covers much of eastern NC this morning, as seen here at our Solar Farm. As we head through the day, we may see a few breaks in the clouds and perhaps a couple of partly sunny...Read More

A shallow layer of low clouds covers much of eastern NC this morning, as seen here at our Solar Farm. As we head through the day, we may see a few breaks in the clouds and perhaps a couple of partly sunny periods. It will also turn breezy, with a few isolated sprinkles or light showers possible. Better rain chances with Maria will likely be confined to the area around the sounds and Outer Banks.

The morning update on Maria's track from the National Hurricane Center continues to show the storm passing east of our state today into tomorrow, weakening a bit to tropical storm status, then turning out to sea...Read More

The morning update on Maria's track from the National Hurricane Center continues to show the storm passing east of our state today into tomorrow, weakening a bit to tropical storm status, then turning out to sea late tomorrow into early Thursday.

The morning update on Maria's track from the National Hurricane Center continues to show the storm passing east of our state today into tomorrow, weakening a bit to tropical storm status, then turning out to sea...Read More

The morning update on Maria's track from the National Hurricane Center continues to show the storm passing east of our state today into tomorrow, weakening a bit to tropical storm status, then turning out to sea late tomorrow into early Thursday.

The morning update on Maria's track from the National Hurricane Center continues to show the storm passing east of our state today into tomorrow, weakening a bit to tropical storm status, then turning out to sea...Read More

The morning update on Maria's track from the National Hurricane Center continues to show the storm passing east of our state today into tomorrow, weakening a bit to tropical storm status, then turning out to sea late tomorrow into early Thursday.

New update on Maria's position and intensity has lowered the maxiimum sustained winds to 75 mph.It continues to drift northward at about 7 mph, with the center located roughly 335 miles south-southeast of Cape...Read More

New update on Maria's position and intensity has lowered the maxiimum sustained winds to 75 mph.It continues to drift northward at about 7 mph, with the center located roughly 335 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras.

New update on Maria's position and intensity has lowered the maxiimum sustained winds to 75 mph.It continues to drift northward at about 7 mph, with the center located roughly 335 miles south-southeast of Cape...Read More

New update on Maria's position and intensity has lowered the maxiimum sustained winds to 75 mph.It continues to drift northward at about 7 mph, with the center located roughly 335 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras.

New update on Maria's position and intensity has lowered the maxiimum sustained winds to 75 mph.It continues to drift northward at about 7 mph, with the center located roughly 335 miles south-southeast of Cape...Read More

New update on Maria's position and intensity has lowered the maxiimum sustained winds to 75 mph.It continues to drift northward at about 7 mph, with the center located roughly 335 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras.

The new track for Maria this Monday morning edges a little east of yesterday's, and also shows a bit faster weakening of the storm as it passes offshore of our state later Tuesday through Wednesday night. It is...Read More

The new track for Maria this Monday morning edges a little east of yesterday's, and also shows a bit faster weakening of the storm as it passes offshore of our state later Tuesday through Wednesday night. It is passing by close enough that a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from around Cape Lookout up to Duck.

The new track for Maria this Monday morning edges a little east of yesterday's, and also shows a bit faster weakening of the storm as it passes offshore of our state later Tuesday through Wednesday night. It is...Read More

The new track for Maria this Monday morning edges a little east of yesterday's, and also shows a bit faster weakening of the storm as it passes offshore of our state later Tuesday through Wednesday night. It is passing by close enough that a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from around Cape Lookout up to Duck.

The new track for Maria this Monday morning edges a little east of yesterday's, and also shows a bit faster weakening of the storm as it passes offshore of our state later Tuesday through Wednesday night. It is...Read More

The new track for Maria this Monday morning edges a little east of yesterday's, and also shows a bit faster weakening of the storm as it passes offshore of our state later Tuesday through Wednesday night. It is passing by close enough that a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from around Cape Lookout up to Duck.

We'll see some periods of cloudiness today, but also some brighter skies at times, and should start the week with dry weather. Temperatures remain on the warm side of normal, but down by aaround 2-3 degrees...Read More

We'll see some periods of cloudiness today, but also some brighter skies at times, and should start the week with dry weather. Temperatures remain on the warm side of normal, but down by aaround 2-3 degrees compared to the weekend.

We'll see some periods of cloudiness today, but also some brighter skies at times, and should start the week with dry weather. Temperatures remain on the warm side of normal, but down by aaround 2-3 degrees...Read More

We'll see some periods of cloudiness today, but also some brighter skies at times, and should start the week with dry weather. Temperatures remain on the warm side of normal, but down by aaround 2-3 degrees compared to the weekend.

We'll see some periods of cloudiness today, but also some brighter skies at times, and should start the week with dry weather. Temperatures remain on the warm side of normal, but down by aaround 2-3 degrees...Read More

We'll see some periods of cloudiness today, but also some brighter skies at times, and should start the week with dry weather. Temperatures remain on the warm side of normal, but down by aaround 2-3 degrees compared to the weekend.

JUST IN: A tropical storm watch has been issued for the coast of NC from Surf City northward to the Virgina border. A storm surge watch has been issued for the cost of NC from Cape Lookout northward to Duck.

JUST IN: A tropical storm watch has been issued for the coast of NC from Surf City northward to the Virgina border. A storm surge watch has been issued for the cost of NC from Cape Lookout northward to Duck.

JUST IN: A tropical storm watch has been issued for the coast of NC from Surf City northward to the Virgina border. A storm surge watch has been issued for the cost of NC from Cape Lookout northward to Duck.

Some info on an ISS transit that starts this evening low in the SW sky. The station will rise to 73 degrees above the WNW horizon after 3 minutes, then disappear from view as it passes into Earth's shadow.

Some info on an ISS transit that starts this evening low in the SW sky. The station will rise to 73 degrees above the WNW horizon after 3 minutes, then disappear from view as it passes into Earth's shadow.

Some info on an ISS transit that starts this evening low in the SW sky. The station will rise to 73 degrees above the WNW horizon after 3 minutes, then disappear from view as it passes into Earth's shadow.

Midday update for Maria's path doesn't show much change from the early morning projection. It's a fairly large and slow-moving storm, so even if the center locations here end up reasonably accurate, there's...Read More

Midday update for Maria's path doesn't show much change from the early morning projection. It's a fairly large and slow-moving storm, so even if the center locations here end up reasonably accurate, there's still a chance of tropical storm force winds for the Outer Banks and the vicinity of the sounds, most likely in the later Tuesday to early Thursday time frame. There are no watches in place yet, but that could change later today or tonight.

Midday update for Maria's path doesn't show much change from the early morning projection. It's a fairly large and slow-moving storm, so even if the center locations here end up reasonably accurate, there's...Read More

Midday update for Maria's path doesn't show much change from the early morning projection. It's a fairly large and slow-moving storm, so even if the center locations here end up reasonably accurate, there's still a chance of tropical storm force winds for the Outer Banks and the vicinity of the sounds, most likely in the later Tuesday to early Thursday time frame. There are no watches in place yet, but that could change later today or tonight.

Midday update for Maria's path doesn't show much change from the early morning projection. It's a fairly large and slow-moving storm, so even if the center locations here end up reasonably accurate, there's...Read More

Midday update for Maria's path doesn't show much change from the early morning projection. It's a fairly large and slow-moving storm, so even if the center locations here end up reasonably accurate, there's still a chance of tropical storm force winds for the Outer Banks and the vicinity of the sounds, most likely in the later Tuesday to early Thursday time frame. There are no watches in place yet, but that could change later today or tonight.

We should see a good deal of blue sky and sunshine today, but some upper level moisture in the outflow from Maria is also bringing some periods with streaky high cirrus clouds. The added upper-level humidity...Read More

We should see a good deal of blue sky and sunshine today, but some upper level moisture in the outflow from Maria is also bringing some periods with streaky high cirrus clouds. The added upper-level humidity could also make it easier for some high altitude planes to leave contrails behind at times.

We should see a good deal of blue sky and sunshine today, but some upper level moisture in the outflow from Maria is also bringing some periods with streaky high cirrus clouds. The added upper-level humidity...Read More

We should see a good deal of blue sky and sunshine today, but some upper level moisture in the outflow from Maria is also bringing some periods with streaky high cirrus clouds. The added upper-level humidity could also make it easier for some high altitude planes to leave contrails behind at times.

We should see a good deal of blue sky and sunshine today, but some upper level moisture in the outflow from Maria is also bringing some periods with streaky high cirrus clouds. The added upper-level humidity...Read More

We should see a good deal of blue sky and sunshine today, but some upper level moisture in the outflow from Maria is also bringing some periods with streaky high cirrus clouds. The added upper-level humidity could also make it easier for some high altitude planes to leave contrails behind at times.

The latest track for Maria shows it loitering off our coast from later Tuesday through early Thursday before being pushed east by an approaching frontal system. The shaded area corresponds to about a 60-70%...Read More

The latest track for Maria shows it loitering off our coast from later Tuesday through early Thursday before being pushed east by an approaching frontal system. The shaded area corresponds to about a 60-70% chance that the location of the storm center remains within that "fan," so there remains an outside chance for a landfall over eastern NC. Be sure to monitor Maria for any changes in the coming days.

The latest track for Maria shows it loitering off our coast from later Tuesday through early Thursday before being pushed east by an approaching frontal system. The shaded area corresponds to about a 60-70%...Read More

The latest track for Maria shows it loitering off our coast from later Tuesday through early Thursday before being pushed east by an approaching frontal system. The shaded area corresponds to about a 60-70% chance that the location of the storm center remains within that "fan," so there remains an outside chance for a landfall over eastern NC. Be sure to monitor Maria for any changes in the coming days.

The latest track for Maria shows it loitering off our coast from later Tuesday through early Thursday before being pushed east by an approaching frontal system. The shaded area corresponds to about a 60-70%...Read More

The latest track for Maria shows it loitering off our coast from later Tuesday through early Thursday before being pushed east by an approaching frontal system. The shaded area corresponds to about a 60-70% chance that the location of the storm center remains within that "fan," so there remains an outside chance for a landfall over eastern NC. Be sure to monitor Maria for any changes in the coming days.

We should see a few more high cirrus clouds at times today than yesterday, but otherwise weak high pressure should keep us bright and warmer than normal as we wrap up the weekend. The high clouds could make for...Read More

We should see a few more high cirrus clouds at times today than yesterday, but otherwise weak high pressure should keep us bright and warmer than normal as we wrap up the weekend. The high clouds could make for nice sunrise and sunset scenes, with a little luck and good timing.

We should see a few more high cirrus clouds at times today than yesterday, but otherwise weak high pressure should keep us bright and warmer than normal as we wrap up the weekend. The high clouds could make for...Read More

We should see a few more high cirrus clouds at times today than yesterday, but otherwise weak high pressure should keep us bright and warmer than normal as we wrap up the weekend. The high clouds could make for nice sunrise and sunset scenes, with a little luck and good timing.

We should see a few more high cirrus clouds at times today than yesterday, but otherwise weak high pressure should keep us bright and warmer than normal as we wrap up the weekend. The high clouds could make for...Read More

We should see a few more high cirrus clouds at times today than yesterday, but otherwise weak high pressure should keep us bright and warmer than normal as we wrap up the weekend. The high clouds could make for nice sunrise and sunset scenes, with a little luck and good timing.

Hurricane Maria will have impacts along the NC coast. Here's a look at the potential impacts late Tuesday into Thursday. The National Hurricane Center MIGHT issue a tropical storm or hurricane watch along parts...Read More

Hurricane Maria will have impacts along the NC coast. Here's a look at the potential impacts late Tuesday into Thursday. The National Hurricane Center MIGHT issue a tropical storm or hurricane watch along parts of the NC coast Sunday...

Hurricane Maria will have impacts along the NC coast. Here's a look at the potential impacts late Tuesday into Thursday. The National Hurricane Center MIGHT issue a tropical storm or hurricane watch along parts...Read More

Hurricane Maria will have impacts along the NC coast. Here's a look at the potential impacts late Tuesday into Thursday. The National Hurricane Center MIGHT issue a tropical storm or hurricane watch along parts of the NC coast Sunday...

Hurricane Maria will have impacts along the NC coast. Here's a look at the potential impacts late Tuesday into Thursday. The National Hurricane Center MIGHT issue a tropical storm or hurricane watch along parts...Read More

Hurricane Maria will have impacts along the NC coast. Here's a look at the potential impacts late Tuesday into Thursday. The National Hurricane Center MIGHT issue a tropical storm or hurricane watch along parts of the NC coast Sunday...